The 2024 NBA Draft was meant to produce one of the worst classes in recent memory. From the absence of a clear-cut No. 1 prospect with superstar potential to the manner in which the depth of the incoming players was perpetually downplayed, the Washington Wizards were left looking like the most unlucky franchise to ever have three first-round picks at their disposal.
Kyshawn George is turning that misleading narrative on its head, however, as the most unlikely cornerstone the Wizards have thus far acquired.
Alex Sarr entered the NBA with significant hype as the No. 2 pick in the draft, no matter how poor the reviews were for the class at large. The same can be said for Bub Carrington at No. 14, as lottery picks in even lackluster classes tend to face the pressure to perform.
George, however, was the No. 24 overall selection in a class that was labeled as exceedingly thin—thus making his success story a remarkably unlikely one.
It's far from rare for a late first-round selection to experience success in the NBA. When a class has been designated as weak not only at the top of the board, but further down, however, defying the odds becomes a prerequisite task for the players in question.
George has done exactly that with a quality rookie campaign and a sensational start to the 2025-26 season that shows clear signs of growth and maturity.
Wizards' Kyshawn George proving 2024 NBA Draft stronger than believed
George shot just 37.2 percent from the field and 32.2 percent from beyond the arc during his rookie season in 2024-25. That alone offers reason to be skeptical of how promising he truly is, as below-average efficiency is far from an indicator of future success.
George averaged 8.7 points, 4.2 rebounds, 2.5 assists, 1.0 steal, 0.7 blocks, and 1.7 three-point field goals made in 26.5 minutes per game, however, thus showing signs of remarkable versatility.
George's season averages translated to marks of 11.8 points, 5.7 rebounds, 3.4 assists, 1.4 steals, 1.0 block, and 2.3 three-point field goals made per 36 minutes. For perspective: Toronto Raptors standout Jonathan Mogbo was the only other first-year player to average at least 1.0 block and 1.0 steal per 36 minutes in 2024-25.
That doesn't necessarily guarantee future success, but it's also worth noting that the only two rookies who hit those marks in 2023-24 were Duop Reath and Victor Wembanyama.
George's impressive production coincided with the clear signs of potential he displayed on both ends of the floor. He showed flashes of brilliance in on and off-ball situations as a defender, and displayed a willingness to shoot and distribute that seemed to bode well for his future.
Furthermore, George averaged 10.7 points, 5.1 rebounds, 3.0 assists, 1.3 steals, 0.9 blocks, and 2.1 three-point field goals made per game on .409/.386/.744 shooting after Feb. 1—and he's building upon that success in 2025-26.
Kyshawn George showing signs of major offensive potential in 2025-26
George began the 2025-26 season by dropping 21 points, nine rebounds, four assists, two blocks, and a steal on 7-of-15 shooting from the field and a 3-of-6 mark from beyond the arc. He followed that eye-opening effort with 34 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, three blocks, and two steals on 11-of-15 shooting from the floor and a 7-of-9 mark from distance.
George shot just 0-of-4 from three-point range the next time out, but still mustered eight rebounds and five assists in what was somehow his most significant performance to date.
It's easy to be enamored with a 34-point and 11-rebound eruption, but it was how George played when his shot wasn't falling that may have been most significant. He remained active in creating for his teammates and put forth a strong effort on the glass.
Washington lost a lopsided game to the Charlotte Hornets, but George never seemed to show signs of being discouraged from making positive contributions.
Furthermore, this is more of a continuation of recent success than an outlier. George scored 20 points in the preseason finale, and scored in double figures in nine of his final 15 appearances in 2024-25—including 23 and 19-point performances.
Perhaps George won't drop 20 points on a regular basis, but his early success in 2025-26 is a clear sign of how much progress he's made over the past eight months.